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serve the forests because they are beautiful, though that is good in 

 itself. To sit on the rocky beach of Southeast and look out at mystic 

 scenery, to enjoy the Alaska blues and to know our natural re- 

 sources will always be there to provide us with homes and jobs, 

 this too. This used to be a true source of security to Alaskans, not 

 because they are refuges for the wild creatures of the wilderness, 

 though that, too, is good in itself. No one enjoys the sight of a new- 

 born fawn or a stream or spawning fish like a logger who is at 

 home in the forest, but the primary object of our forest policy as 

 a land policy of the United States is the making of prosperous 

 homes. 



So that is what we did, myself and my sisters and brother, our 

 fourth generation logging families. My daughter, nephews, and 

 nieces have now proudly entered the work force of the fifth genera- 

 tion. My family has continued this way of life in the timber indus- 

 try because it is a renewable resource. With proper management, 

 it provides an economic basis to support many Ainerican families. 

 Under the current structure of our Forest Service, we are no longer 

 allowed to manage these forests; therefore, we are watching our 

 crops becoming diseased, overripe, and dying. If this is allowed to 

 continue, our entire nation will suffer. Valuable timber products 

 and byproducts are provided from the harvests of these forests. 



I have watched for the last 15 years families and homes pulled 

 up by their roots and destroyed. If the Forest Service is allowed to 

 overload us with ever-changing policies which constrict our ability 

 to harvest and manage our forest, the devastation and hardships 

 on the people and their families will ultimately lead to domestic vi- 

 olence, higher crime rates, and overloading of an already failing 

 welfare system. 



We have the best leadership in the Nation right here in our great 

 State of Alaska: Congressman Young and our senators, Murkowski 

 and Stevens. It has been said we are getting our act together. We 

 are in a forward and positive motion. I ask that you please support 

 these men in their efforts. They are fighting for our jobs and our 

 families. Please support bill H.R. 2413, the transfer of the Tongass, 

 to its rightful owners, the people of Alaska. We, the people of the 

 Tongass, need to keep our families in their homes. 



My statement to you was completed, then late Wednesday after- 

 noon I received an important fax explaining how Agriculture Sec- 

 retary Glickman wants to impose a new dangerous policy directive 

 on the timber salvage law. This new policy of absurdities is exactly 

 why we, the people of Alaska, must get control of our Tongass to 

 properly manage it or it will be destroyed by our Federal Govern- 

 ment. The Clinton Administration would like for us to turn our 

 backs on the health and well-being of our Tongass, to stand by and 

 watch it self-destruct. I, for one, cannot stand by and watch this 

 happen to something which is so dear to my heart. We must unite 

 and push forward to save our natural resources, which means our 

 homes and jobs. 



Thank you. 



The Chairman. Thank you, Kelly. 



Carl? 



